Abstract
Chronic wounds (CW) create numerous entryways for pathogen invasion and prosperity, further damaging host tissue and hindering its remodeling and repair. Essential oils (EOs) exert quick and efficient antimicrobial (AM) action, unlikely to induce bacterial resistance. Cinnamon leaf and clove oils (CLO and CO) display strong AM activity, namely against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chitosan (CS) is a natural and biodegradable cationic polysaccharide, also widely known for its AM features. CS and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films were prepared (ratio 30/70 w/w; 9 wt%) by the solvent casting and phase inversion method. The film’s thermal stability and chemical composition data reinforced polymer blending and EO entrapment. Films were supplemented with 1 and 10 wt% of EO in relation to total polymeric mass. The film thickness and degree of swelling (DS) tended to increase with EO content, particularly with 10 wt % CLO (* p < 0.05). UV-visible absorbance scans in the 250–320 cm−1 region confirmed the successful uptake of CLO and CO into CS/PVA films, particularly with films loaded with 10 wt% EO that contained 5.30/5.32 times more CLO/CO than films supplemented with 1 wt% EO. AM testing revealed that CS films alone were effective against both bacteria and capable of eradicating all P. aeruginosa within the hour (*** p < 0.001). Still, loaded CS/PVA films showed significantly improved AM traits in relation to unloaded films within 2 h of contact. This study is a first proof of concept that CLO and CO can be dispersed into CS/PVA films and show bactericidal effects, particularly against S. aureus, this way paving the way for efficient CW therapeutics.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disabling and incurable chronic metabolic and degenerative disorder, highly prevalent in Portugal and worldwide, severely affecting patient quality of life and demanding high healthcare costs [1,2]
The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the chosen Essential oils (EOs)–CLO and CO–against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were determined using the broth microdilution procedure described by Wiegand et al [50], which adapts the standard published by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) [51]
CS/PVA blended films were produced via the solvent casting-phase inversion method, following adaptation to what had been previously optimized by the team [17], at an optimal CS/PVA mass ratio of 30/70, reflecting an effective polymer chain entanglement, and observable macroscopic homogeneity of the films, in addition to what had already been discovered elsewhere [48]
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disabling and incurable chronic metabolic and degenerative disorder, highly prevalent in Portugal and worldwide, severely affecting patient quality of life and demanding high healthcare costs [1,2]. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are microvascular lesions that can affect the skin, soft tissues, and bones in the lower limbs [3,4]. More than half of those ulcers become infected, with pathogen diversity and proliferation rate within the body’s tissues determining the severity of the infection [3]. Multiple wound dressings [10,11] (e.g., films, hydrogels, foams, hydrocolloids, etc.) can be placed over the lesion site, to protect the wound, fight infection and promote healing.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
